La. reserve officer killed in hit-and-run

Reserve Officer Christopher Lawton was run over by a truck in a parking lot while working undercover

By PoliceOne Staff

ZACHARY, La. — A Louisiana reserve officer was killed in a hit-and-run while working undercover, according to officials.

The Advocate reports that 41-year-old Zachary Reserve Officer Christopher Lawton was killed Monday while working with another officer undercover to investigate felony drug charges. The officers were attempting to arrest Albert Franklin, 33, and Ashley Chaney, 30, who were sitting in a U-Haul truck at a shopping center parking lot, according to WBRZ.

Lawton was run over by the U-haul truck as the suspects fled. Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said the officer was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Everybody's taking it rough. I, unfortunately, have been through this more than once. It's not an easy thing to go through,” Gautreaux said.